No FP for AandE?? Say whaaa? Really, forever after?

[princessjilly]

Show up.
Take a "number."
The numbers are issued in order as guests arrive.
The progression of numbers (as they come due) are displayed
and, sometimes, an estimate of the time when a guest's number will come due.
Guests go up to enter the attraction when their number comes due.

A lot of "license offices" and other businesses are adopting this system.
Many of them will send a text message to customers cell phones as their number's time is nearing.

Ahhhh!
Thank you!

 

[Mom2Stitch]

I voiced my concern about no FP+ for the meet and greet to the Disney Parks Blog. But my comment didn't make the cut. I will be surprised IF A&E M&G isn't hours long. Although I had predicted Olaf's M&G queue to be out to the boat docks. Last night we walked right in to Olaf with less than a 5 minute wait. Guess it's going to be a wait and see. However, I hope there is a plan in place if the demand for A&E exceeds their expectations.

Olaf doesn't speak or sign autographs correct? I think those types of M&G just naturally move quicker. A hug, snap a pic, be on your way.

And Mom2rtk is on to something about the ADR- I've got an ADR booked there with the plan to hit the ride without using a FP+. However, I do want to see the inside of where they are, so perhaps we will M&G after breakfast with FP+ for the ride. Watching closely how this plays out between now and Sept...

 

[linzbear]

That system is currently in-place at MK as one of the options to riding Dumbo.

That's right, it completely slipped my mind that they actually implemented it.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

I have said this before and I will say it again...Akershus pre park ADR will become an extremely popular ADR to get lol...at least this is my plan for how we will be working the newer frozen attractions lol...8AM ADR for akershus, stand by for M&G, FP for ride for around 9:30-10:30, then get the hell out of arendale lol

Yes I am thrilled that I booked an 8:10 am Aker weeks ago for our September trip. We wanted to eat there regardless, but since we are offsite I knew I would have no shot at a FP so thought this could potentially help with positioning for something...looks like that will end up correct...Will be following the disboards closely this summer to build my strategery!

 

[lovethattink]

Olaf doesn't speak or sign autographs correct? I think those types of M&G just naturally move quicker. A hug, snap a pic, be on your way.

And Mom2rtk is on to something about the ADR- I've got an ADR booked there with the plan to hit the ride without using a FP+. However, I do want to see the inside of where they are, so perhaps we will M&G after breakfast with FP+ for the ride. Watching closely how this plays out between now and Sept...

Olaf doesn't talk.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

Olaf doesn't talk.

I wasn't sure, hope he's still there when we go.

 

[Missyrose]

Couple of things. I will start by saying that I think this could be an unmitigated disaster, but I'm with @mom2rtk, Disney hasn't shown all its cards yet.

That being said, part of the reason the lines were so out of control the last time the sisters met at Epcot was the single M&G room, the overwhelming popularity of the film at the time and (most importantly) the delayed opening of the M&G each day.

People were darting to the line as soon as the park opened (and how many poor parents sent one parent to the line while the other took the kids to a PPO Akershus ADR?), and at the time, the M&G didn't open until 11 am, so your best-case wait each day was two hours (9 am to 11 am) and it only got worse from there.

I think the three rooms will help and the 9 am start for the M&G will too, but I'm with Robo. I think the best we can hope for with the current setup is 90-120 minute waits during shoulder season and even longer during peak times. Unless Disney does cut back a room during the offseason, then best-case goes out the door entirely.

 

[MermaidMommy]

Couple of things. I will start by saying that I think this could be an unmitigated disaster, but I'm with @mom2rtk, Disney hasn't shown all its cards yet.

That being said, part of the reason the lines were so out of control the last time the sisters met at Epcot was the single M&G room, the overwhelming popularity of the film at the time and (most importantly) the delayed opening of the M&G each day.

People were darting to the line as soon as the park opened (and how many poor parents sent one parent to the line while the other took the kids to a PPO Akershus ADR?), and at the time, the M&G didn't open until 11 am, so your best-case wait each day was two hours (9 am to 11 am) and it only got worse from there.

I think the three rooms will help and the 9 am start for the M&G will too, but I'm with Robo. I think the best we can hope for with the current setup is 90-120 minute waits during shoulder season and even longer during peak times. Unless Disney does cut back a room during the offseason, then best-case goes out the door entirely.

They did eventually move the Epcot meet and greet to a 9 am, opening, and it really didn't make the lines any shorter. We were actually first in line to meet them in March 2014, and by the time we were finished, at around 9:03, the wait was already 4 hours long. Fortunately, they're not nearly that popular anymore.

 

[Missyrose]

They did eventually move the Epcot meet and greet to a 9 am, opening, and it really didn't make the lines any shorter. We were actually first in line to meet them in March 2014, and by the time we were finished, at around 9:03, the wait was already 4 hours long. Fortunately, they're not nearly that popular anymore.

Right! I forgot they finally adjusted!

 

[StirlingSilver83]

They did eventually move the Epcot meet and greet to a 9 am, opening, and it really didn't make the lines any shorter. We were actually first in line to meet them in March 2014, and by the time we were finished, at around 9:03, the wait was already 4 hours long. Fortunately, they're not nearly that popular anymore.

This is what we did as well when they were in Epcot...we were also there at the end of March 2014 and we had an 8AM Akershus ADR...I made my hubby gulp his food down and then get to the line, lol...he was about the 6th person in line at that point...I joined him with the kids when we were finished eating. We got done the M&G around 9:20 or so and the wait was already 4 hours long! My hubby was like I will miss eating, or shovel my food down if it saves me from having to wait 4 hours in line! LOL...This will more than likely be our strategy next year when we visit the world again, lol...although I am keeping my fingers crossed that perhaps the M&G doesn't go as planned and the Disney higher ups maybe decide to add the FPs or something...with a new building that big you can't tell me theres not enough room to make a FP line, lol

 

[jamesez]

I'd be surprised if the M&G can't be easily switched to FP, and if the FP scanners aren't already there.

They may have decided to add it later after giving enough time for people who don't stalk the DIS to find out about it before the 60 day window begins.

 

[jennerjoo]

Has anyone heard how easy or hard it is to get a FEA fast pass? I was hoping those wouldn't be a fight.

 

[JimmyV]

The other possibility is that they do a deli-style line like they trialed at RnRC a few years back.

This would make sense after 11 o'clock when there are other things to occupy your time while you wait for your deli number to come up. But at 9 o'clock, there isn't anything else to do in World Showcase so this system would be less practical then. In the afternoon, you pull a number and then go to Mexico for the boat ride and Margaritas. At 9:00, pull a number and......

 

[Delphinidae]

This is what we did as well when they were in Epcot...we were also there at the end of March 2014 and we had an 8AM Akershus ADR...I made my hubby gulp his food down and then get to the line, lol...he was about the 6th person in line at that point...I joined him with the kids when we were finished eating. We got done the M&G around 9:20 or so and the wait was already 4 hours long! My hubby was like I will miss eating, or shovel my food down if it saves me from having to wait 4 hours in line! LOL...This will more than likely be our strategy next year when we visit the world again, lol...although I am keeping my fingers crossed that perhaps the M&G doesn't go as planned and the Disney higher ups maybe decide to add the FPs or something...with a new building that big you can't tell me theres not enough room to make a FP line, lol

This was going to be one of my questions: how fast we need to eat and get out. I have an 8:05 breakfast ADR at Akershus (that I have been considering cancelling for Garden Grill instead, but guess I'm keeping it now!) and I really don't want to have to inhale our food and run out the door. The girls will want to spend some time with the princesses too. Is it unreasonable to expect that we can eat without a big rush and still make it to the line without a crazy wait? I don't need to be first in line but not wanting a 90 minute wait either...

 

[JimmyV]

This was going to be one of my questions: how fast we need to eat and get out. I have an 8:05 breakfast ADR at Akershus (that I have been considering cancelling for Garden Grill instead, but guess I'm keeping it now!) and I really don't want to have to inhale our food and run out the door. The girls will want to spend some time with the princesses too. Is it unreasonable to expect that we can eat without a big rush and still make it to the line without a crazy wait? I don't need to be first in line but not wanting a 90 minute wait either...

Let's assume that a Meet & Greet interaction takes 90 seconds per family. (Those with more recent experience please feel free to amend this. But this alows for different combinations of photos to be taken.) Further, let's assume that each group averages four people. Finally, let's assume that all 3 rooms are open. Based on all of this, then 12 people can be throughput every 90 seconds. That is 24 people every 3 minutes and 48 people every 6 minutes. Let's round that off to 50 people every 5 minutes. So once the line has 500 people in it, the wait will be 50 minutes. At Rope Drop, thousands of people pour in. After accounting for people going to Soarin', Test Track, Frozen Ever After and Ellen's Energy Adventure, if 1,000 people head for the Meet &Greet, you will see an hour and a half line build within the first 20 minutes of the park opening.

 

[Delphinidae]

Let's assume that a Meet & Greet interaction takes 90 seconds per family. (Those with more recent experience please feel free to amend this. But this alows for different combinations of photos to be taken.) Further, let's assume that each group averages four people. Finally, let's assume that all 3 rooms are open. Based on all of this, then 12 people can be throughput every 90 seconds. That is 24 people every 3 minutes and 48 people every 6 minutes. Let's round that off to 50 people every 5 minutes. So once the line has 500 people in it, the wait will be 50 minutes. At Rope Drop, thousands of people pour in. After accounting for people going to Soarin', Test Track, Frozen Ever After and Ellen's Energy Adventure, if 1,000 people head for the Meet &Greet, you will see an hour and a half line build within the first 20 minutes of the park opening.

At Epcot, is RD actually at 9 or do they open up early sometimes? I would like to think we would be done before 9 but I know sometimes things happen :/

 

[JimmyV]

At Epcot, is RD actually at 9 or do they open up early sometimes? I would like to think we would be done before 9 but I know sometimes things happen :/

Rope Drop times never run like clockwork. We usually enter through the International Gateway and have been let in at 8:45, 8:50 and 9:00. Sometimes with different times on consecutive days.

 

[Delphinidae]

Rope Drop times never run like clockwork. We usually enter through the International Gateway and have been let in at 8:45, 8:50 and 9:00. Sometimes with different times on consecutive days.

Maybe we will do like a PP and just have one of us eat quickly and head to the line while the rest of us finish up. Thanks for your help!

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I wasn't sure, hope he's still there when we go.

He does sign autographs though (draw really). They're cute!

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Let's assume that a Meet & Greet interaction takes 90 seconds per family. (Those with more recent experience please feel free to amend this. But this alows for different combinations of photos to be taken.) Further, let's assume that each group averages four people. Finally, let's assume that all 3 rooms are open. Based on all of this, then 12 people can be throughput every 90 seconds. That is 24 people every 3 minutes and 48 people every 6 minutes. Let's round that off to 50 people every 5 minutes. So once the line has 500 people in it, the wait will be 50 minutes. At Rope Drop, thousands of people pour in. After accounting for people going to Soarin', Test Track, Frozen Ever After and Ellen's Energy Adventure, if 1,000 people head for the Meet &Greet, you will see an hour and a half line build within the first 20 minutes of the park opening.

Yikes! And I think 90 seconds is on the conservative side...